MISSOULA, Mont. — The recently released short film titled “Rain Deer – A Sitka Blacktail Story” by Randy Newberg and Tyler Johnerson – in partnership with the Boone and Crockett Club, Leupold & Stevens, and SITKA Gear – is a must-see according to B&C.

“In today’s world where ‘social concerns’ appear to be trumping the scientific management of wildlife, it’s refreshing to see a film that demonstrates the intersection of science, conservation, and wild grown, humanely harvested food,” said Keith Balfourd, director of Marketing for Boone and Crockett. “People and communities rely on wild natural resources in many ways. Sportsmen and rural communities have been standing guard over the resources they value and depend upon longer than anyone. It’s time more people appreciated this fact.”

“Rain Deer” was filmed in southeast Alaska and documents the importance of Sitka black-tailed deer to the rural communities of the region. The story is guided by the local knowledge of one of the deer’s biggest advocates. James Baichtal is a geologist who takes a wildlife ecologist from Idaho, Dr. Sophie Gilbert, with him to a place where she has the opportunity to add to her knowledge as a researcher, through the eyes of a hunter.

The film expertly portrays what sustainable use guided by science means and looks like, including the cultural significance of these deer to the peoples of Alaska.

“No optics company does more for sportsmen’s rights and conservation across the United States than Leupold & Stevens,” said Bruce Pettet, president and CEO for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “It’s incredibly important to our team members, our core consumers and the entire Leupold family. ‘Rain Deer’ is a story worth telling. We’re proud to have supported Randy’s work to bring this important conservation story to hunting and non-hunting audiences.”

Randy Newberg is a veteran television and film producer, and spokesperson for the hunter-conservationist community. He is most noted for his popular television series, Fresh Tracks and On Your Own Adventures, as well as his Hunt Talk podcasts. Tyler Johnerson is a videographer and producer who has spent his life capturing wildlife and hunting documentary footage. Both live in Bozeman, Montana.

Jonathan Hart, founder of SITKA Gear said, “‘Rain Deer’ celebrates the inspiring relationship between hunter and scientist, leveraging the deep knowledge that is embedded in the harvester and using it to bridge the gap that many times challenges scientists and academics in making sense of the realities of nature. The ability to connect these dots to maximize impact is an incredible example of ‘ecosystem thinking.’ The breathtaking landscape and remarkable story set the bar high.”

“Today, social concern over the use and management of wildlife by a handful of vocal absentee landlords is influencing a dangerous model of non-use and no active management for the future without offering any proven long-term alternatives,” Balfourd concluded. “It’s ironic because it was social concerns of sportsmen that launched the conservation movement in the first place that literally saved many species of wildlife from certain disaster. There will be a consequence to allowing the social concerns of a few to block what we know works for all wildlife and people.”

“Rain Deer” can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/wE53BE4sEjg Read more

A glimpse at the morning before sunrise:

A wary Mid-Michigan gobbler hangs up and persists in his attempt to lure a hesitant hen his way.

COLUMBUS, Georgia — The Motorola T265 Rechargeable Two-Way Radios Sportsman Edition in Realtree Xtra Camo deliver dependable, instant hands-free communications at the touch of a button, so you can enjoy your outdoor adventures without worrying about losing contact with those in your group. Read more

MISSOULA, Mont. – The public exhibit of Boone and Crockett trophies for the Club’s 30th Big Game Awards opened for public viewing on May 4.

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, will host this public exhibit of recently taken, high-ranking B&C trophies from across North America from May 4 through August 4.

“After 70 years of holding these exhibitions, this is one of the largest one we ever had in terms of the number and quality of animals on display,” said Justin Spring, the Club’s director of Big Game Records. “It’s impressive. This is excellence in nature and what is possible when we commit ourselves to the conservation and stewardship of these species, which is why we continue to see such outstanding specimens and records broken year in and year out.” Read more

MISSOULA, Mont. — According to the Boone and Crockett Club, more states are being forced to take a closer look at how information gained from GPS technology is being used to hunt big game species. The issue is making its way onto the dockets for some state legislators and governors to decide.

The state of Montana has been discussing two proposed bills. One would make it illegal for an individual to take GPS location data on a particular animal they have intensively scouted, and sell this information to another hunter. The other bill would prohibit the use of radio collar GPS tracking information obtained by wildlife biologists for monitoring and scientific management purposes to be used as an aid to locate these research animals, or transfer the information to another person. Both bills address how this information should not be used for the purpose of hunting.

“In both cases, Fair Chase is being used as the justification for proposing and supporting the passage of these laws,” said Mark Streissguth, chair of the Club’s Conservation and Hunter Ethics Committee. “We anticipate other states will be faced with the same decisions and we feel a few points of clarification will be helpful, especially between what is ethical or unethical and what is a matter of Fair Chase.” Read more

BESSEMER, Ala. — Steyr Arms will be hosting the 2nd Annual Steyr Challenge, Oct. 5 in Seetaler Alpe in Austria, with teams from across the globe competing for the title of “Toughest Hunters in the Alps.” This competition is a combination of a more than seven kilometer mountain run with about 300 meters of elevation gain, different shooting disciplines, abseiling and sawing. Each four-person team, with one alternate, will need to train together, shoot together and strive for the ultimate goal of winning together.

Steyr Arms is looking for a few good teams to represent the U.S. in this year’s competition. If you think you have a team that has what it takes to take on the course and the other competitors, send an audition video of your team explaining why you wish to compete in the challenge before the registration closes on July 15. Click here to register. There is no cost to submit. The $250 registration fee is only charged to teams that are selected and will be participating in the challenge. Teams will be responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Austria. Lodging and food are covered upon arrival. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

One good way to start an argument is to pronounce a certain firearm and caliber the perfect choice for deer hunting. A well-respected hunter/writer, Craig Boddington, who has hunted big game in 29 American states, has offered up his favorites and I’m about to dissect some of his rationale. However, when it comes to Michigan, common logic used elsewhere does not always apply.

To begin, there is no perfect choice for all of Michigan’s deer hunting territory. Plus, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Deer hunters come in all sizes and ages and hunt in farm fields, woodlots, big woods and swamps. If we add caliber restrictions for the Southern zone, things get even more complicated. Here goes anyway.

Slug guns were popularized years ago when a line was drawn to separate Michigan’s Lower Peninsula into two zones. Since then, however, laws have changed with the times and those heavy hitting big bores are going the way of the phone booth. The now-legal straight-wall cartridges have been a big hit and the .450 Bushmaster is at the top of the list. Still a big bore, it can be relatively pleasant to shoot with a ported barrel for all but the most diminutive hunter. Other pistol cartridge options for rifles down to the .357 magnum can get the job done, as well as some of the old-time favorites such as the .44-40 Winchester. For youngsters, who may be recoil sensitive, muzzleloaders make plenty of sense, because loads can be reduced to suit the smaller hunters.

In thick cover for areas in Zones I and II, Boddington likes the fast-handling .30-30, but cautions it won’t offer the ranging abilities you need in open country. He explains that the fastest cartridges need extra-long barrels, and they also need considerable gun weight to keep recoil manageable. Long, heavy rifles aren’t pleasant to carry all day.

He also states that they are extremely awkward in a lot of deer stands and blinds. We differ on this point, because nowhere else is a heavy gun at home than in a hunting shack, while it rests on the window sill until it’s needed.

Although it’s legal to use .22 centerfire calibers, they are not necessarily ideal. Considering the average size of our whitetail deer, centerfires from 6mm through the big-bore bottleneck calibers have their place. Mr. Boddington also mentions we may “need” flatter shooting 30 caliber rigs for shooting to 300 yards to minimize holdover, but that only applies to optics with a single aiming point in their reticles. Today, options abound in mil-dot and bullet drop compensated glass that take the guess work out of the longer shots – assuming that range has been properly estimated or calculated.

Boddington explains that no whitetail hunting actually requires a magnum cartridge and here we agree. His personal choice for the most versatile and most perfect whitetail cartridges falls to the veteran triad formed by the .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, and .30-06. All are powerful and efficient cartridges that anchor deer up close . . . but also shoot flat enough to handle almost any shot most of us have any business taking. In fairness, a host of other cartridges such as the 7mm-08, 7mm Mauser, .308 Winchester, and magnums up to the .300’s are equally good, and most could be used interchangeably with no difference in results on game.

Boddington prefers bolt action rifles and his logic is hard to knock. They are available in most calibers, are reliable and accurate. An obvious “shortcoming” of single-shot guns is there are no quick follow-up shots. However, single-shots have a way of developing the single-shot mentality, which requires no quick follow-up shots.

I agree that the whitetail rifle should be scoped. This is not so much a matter of distance as it is the scope’s light-gathering capabilities during the critical periods at dawn and dusk. Fixed-power scopes are simple and weigh and cost less than variable-power optics and do well for most Michigan opportunities.

When it comes to accuracy, just about any firearm will produce acceptable results depending on the operator. If a hunter is able to keep 9 out of 10 shots in a six-inch circle at any given range, that hunter is ready to go afield with the gun of his choice, as long as he stays within his self-imposed limitations.

The conclusion is that there is no single, perfect deer hunting caliber or rig. It all depends.

You could get two tags in a single year with Pure Michigan Hunt!

Elk and bear license applications are on sale now through June 1. You can increase your odds, or even get two tags in a single year, by picking up Pure Michigan Hunt applications while you’re applying for bear and elk. Read more

Natural Resources Commission anticipates July decisions

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has recommended a series of deer regulation changes for the upcoming fall hunting seasons, which the Michigan Natural Resources Commission will be discussing over the next three months. Several opportunities for public comment will be available before the commission makes decisions expected in July. There are changes proposed statewide and for both of Michigan’s peninsulas individually. The recommendations range from a baiting and feeding ban proposed for the Core Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Area in the Upper Peninsula and a moderate increase in U.P. antlerless deer licenses, to redefining bait to exclude natural or synthetic food-scented materials not consumed by deer and moving the Liberty Hunt to the second weekend in September to avoid potential conflicts between hound bear hunters and youth deer hunters. Read more